Previous part of Lost and Found
***
"A car? This is a car?" Even feeling sick, Nick couldn't resist taking the piss."This is a very handy little car...nips around the traffic like it knows what to do. It's a Citroen C1. Come on."
"Will we both get in it with my luggage?"
"Just about. I don't think the suitcase will go in the trunk but we can shove it over the seats onto the back seat."
"Back seat? Who could sit in there?"
Gil looked and considered it for a moment. "Two very small children?"
Nick sniggered. "Very small."
In the event they couldn't get Nick's case onto the back seat via the front passenger doors but managed to get it in via the hatchback. It was a tight fit and it wasn't even a big suitcase.
Once inside the car they were touching arms and it was very cosy.
"You'll have to move your leg over, it's a stick gear...and my hand might slip to another gear altogether." Gil chuckled.
Nick chuckled back. "Don't think I'll be..."
"...I was joking; of course we're not going to do anything until you're better."
"I'm sorry. I was sooo looking forward to it..."
"...it'll wait. You're here, that's the most important thing.
The tiny car headed out with Gil expertly manoeuvring it around the roads and within minutes Nick understood what Gil had meant about the traffic...it was coming at them from all directions and Nick found himself flinching as vehicles came close to them...very surprisingly for Nick, nothing actually hit them. He also tried braking but as Gil pointed out...he had the brake his side!
When they got away from heavy traffic and were in a leafy suburb Nick calmed down a bit, but whether it was the bug or the hairy ride he felt sick again.
"Got to stop, going to be sick."
Gil screeched to a halt, as Nick released his seat belt and opened the door. He got out and stood in the road and bent over with his hands on his knees. Gil was with him moments later stroking his back.
"Here, baby, move along, there's a drain." Gil pushed him a little and Nick saw the drain about two yards away. As he moved and reached it he was sick. It was water and bile and nothing else but Nick was dry heaving.
"Have you got any water in your bag?" Nick nodded and Gil went back to the car and retrieved the half bottle of water and some tissues he had and bought them back to Nick who seemed to be over the worst. "Here. Swill and spit." Nick did as he was told. "Feel any better?"
"Not so sick. But... I'm sorry."
"Stop saying that. We'll be home in five minutes. Do you want to walk? I can let you in and come back for the car later."
"No, I'll be okay, might as well get it done."
"Okay. Sweetheart, I wish it was me."
"Remember when you got drunk?"
"That was entirely self-inflicted."
"True. Come on I feel better."
Gil was true to his word and in six minutes they were in the elevator riding up to Gil's apartment.
The apartment was small but bright and airy. There was a tiny hallway with a window overlooking the street, one door ahead of them and two the side. Gil opened one of the side doors and it was a bedroom; he threw Nick's suitcase onto the bed and pointed to a door.
"Bathroom...and the door in the hallway also goes into it."
"It's nice."
"It is. The university owns the whole block and it's mostly staff who live here. Look"
The bedroom had two windows and Gil called Nick over to look out and the view was of enclosed gardens below with benches scattered around; it was still in winter mode but with many plants and small trees."
"I bet it's great in summer."
"I've never been here in summer but I was here last spring and it's remarkably tranquil. Full of bugs." Gil spoke enthusiastically and Nick touched his arm.
"I've missed you so much." Gil went to kiss him. "No, man, I'm covered in vomit."
"There is that." So Gil hugged him instead. "I'll put the kettle on and make you some tea. That should be soothing for your stomach. Now, do you want a shower or a soak in the bath?"
"A shower."
"Okay, get your clothes off and I'll unpack for you." Nick smiled. "What?"
"When I was feeling bad on the plane I knew you'd look after me."
Gil smiled and nodded. "It's a great feeling isn't it? Knowing you're loved?"
"It is. The best."
"Go get in the shower, everything you'll want is in there."
"Okay."
Gil watched as a weary Nick undressed, as he opened and started to unpack Nick's suitcase. When Nick called out from the bathroom Gil was there in a moment.
"I know I'm a scientist and all...but how do I work this?" Nick was standing in the bath holding the shower head in his hand and inspecting an old dial on the tiles."
"It is an art. I forgot. Here." Gil took the shower head and held it away from Nick as he messed with the dial."
"Man, looks like you're cracking a safe."
Gil looked over his glasses at Nick as the water eventually splashed out. "That, Nick, is an excellent analogy."
Twenty minutes later, Nick was in a pair underpants and a tee shirt; Nick hadn't thought of bringing any sleep clothes since he'd assumed they'd be naked in bed the whole time. But he did feel better for freshening up.
"You should get in bed and try and rest...you'll be better when you wake."
"But I want to be with you, not sleeping." Nick whined and Gil chuckled.
"I could slip in beside you for a while...I could hardly sleep last night for excitement."
"That would be good." Nick smiled and went to get into the bed and then stared at Gil for a few moments, really taking him in for the first time. "Shit, babe, I never said and you're so much slimmer. Too wrapped up in myself. How much have you lost?"
"It doesn't matter; you're sick, now come on get in bed. Twenty-seven pounds. But I could have lost more, I've succumbed to more than one pastry, I can tell you."
Nick slipped under the clean bedding and pushed his pillow up to lie back so he could sip his tea. Gil had made him a cup of very weak tea without milk and told him just to sip it.
"Have you eaten anything at all today?"
"A packet of pretzels."
"That's good... No?" Gil saw Nick shake his head.
"Lost them somewhere over the Atlantic."
"Could you try some dry toast, do you think?"
"I think I'll live without food as long as I take fluids."
"You're right. I'm going to make something to eat for me...some toast maybe, and then shower and get into bed with you. We can cuddle."
"I'd love that. But I might fall asleep."
"That's what you're supposed to do. Help you get better. I've got to call Marie–Auguste; she was expecting us for drinks and supper tonight."
"...I might be okay." Nick protested.
Gil ran his fingers over Nick's cheek. "I can hardly believe it. Anyway, even if you are you feeling better you should take it easy, with jet lag and being sick you...truthfully? I didn't really want to go."
"Why not? Although Nick grinned, even if it was a pale imitation of his usually dimpled grin.
"You know, don't you...so I have you all to myself. I'm almost pleased you're sick...no, I didn't mean that."
Nick chuckled. "I feel better already. This tea is good."
"Good, drink it slowly and then I'll make you another one...we need to keep you hydrated."
Nick smiled and then chuckled again. "I'm here in Paris, France, with you and I'm sick. It's stupid!"
"You're here and you'll be better soon, I'm sure. Has anyone else been sick at work?"
"Not that I know about. I have a letter for you, from Sara." Thinking about work Nick had remembered Sara's note for Gil. It's in with my laptop. Go get it."
Gil got up from the bed where he'd been sitting and got the bag, he opened it and found the letter between the closed keyboard. Nick nodded when Gil held it up.
"What's it about?"
"Read it and see."
Gil sat back down on the bed and read it and then looked up at Nick. "That's a surprise. Do you know what she's said?"
"That she knew you weren't married."
"She told you?"
"The day I went to her...your, house. She said she was sorry so I said why don't you write a note and tell him."
"You're a good man, Nick. A one-off that's for sure. I cannot imagine anyone else being so willing to be conciliatory."
"Well, I've known her for years and she is screwed up...I told her to see a therapist...plus, I have to work with her."
"It was my fault. I do take the blame. But she says she doesn't want the money, the ten grand, since all the costs involved were her fault and she's moving out of the house at the end of March...she's renting a condo. I wish I hadn't hurt her so badly."
"I know. She thought I might know why you did marry her, but I told her what you'd said."
"It's ridiculous. I still think it was because of my loneliness and emptiness...I was searching for something, someone, and she was there and made it plain that she wanted me. I was foolish. Very foolish. I will write back to her and try and explain maybe bring her a little peace."
"That would be good. The trouble is, Gil, she is searching for something herself and thought it was you. I doubt she'll ever find peace."
"You could be right." Gil smiled and held the letter up. "Do you want to read it? She wishes us well...says you're the best thing that could have happened to me."
Nick was taken aback. "She did?"
"Yes. She said." Gil looked down at the letter. "I know you will be very happy with Nick. He will never fail you and I know you will be good together."
"Wow. It's sad isn't it. I hope she does get some therapy."
"Not with Heather, though."
"God, no! I'm being mean now, but I did think of that before and how much Heather would enjoy unravelling Sara's psyche."
"You're right." Just as he spoke Gil's stomach rumbled, loudly. "I must get that toast, I was too excited and nervous earlier and thought we'd have a breakfast together."
"Before or after sex?"
"I thought before, during and after. What about you?"
"Something like that. But hey, I do feel a bit better. Go get something to eat and then shower and then get into bed and we can play catch up...on the gossip."
"Good idea. Here, give me your cup and I'll make you another tea."
"Thank you, Dr Grissom."
"You're welcome."
***
Gil made another mug of tea and gave it to Nick with the same instructions as before; to sip it. "How're you feeling?""No worse. Kind of got a headache and feel shivery but it's nice just to be in your bed."
"I can't tell you how nice it is to have you there. I'll get a couple of Tylenol; do you think you'll be able to stomach them?"
"I think so. Maybe take one now and the other in half an hour? What do you think?"
"Good idea. I'll get them and then make myself some toast. I'll eat it in the living room; you don't need to see someone devouring food. I'll call Marie-Auguste. Then a shower and I'll get into bed. I can't wait to hold you in my arms."
Gil came back about fifteen minutes later.
"Okay: shower."
"Did you call Marie..."
"...I did."
"She okay?"
"Yes, but I'm not sure she believed me! But I have to call as soon as you're better as she wants to meet you and see why I turned her down."
"She said that?"
"Yes...she was joking, I'm sure."
"If we have to fight over you, I'll win. God, Gil, I'm in Paris with you, I can't believe it!" Nick jumped up from the bed and hugged Gil and nearly knocked him off his feet. They both laughed. "We can spoon."
"We can, but first, until you sleep, you can lay your head on my shoulder."
Nick smiled, and even though he was sick, it was nothing short of smug. And they both knew it. Within ten minutes Gil was in bed in his old sleep pants and pyjamas. Nick took his other Tylenol as Gil got into bed, but had refused another tea and just had a bottle of water by the bedside.
Nick snuggled up to Gil and they talked, mostly whispering, for about half an hour. Heather and Nick's parents formed the bulk of their dialogue. Even though a lot of it was Nick repeating himself, since they'd talked on Skype, it felt much better being held by Gil and being able to say how it all felt to him. And his overwhelming conclusion was that he felt better than he had ever done. Gil. His confession. His parents. Okay, he was sick but it was only a minor and temporary setback.
"Man, even though I'm not a hundred percent, it's so good to be..." Nick yawned as if his jaw would break. "...sorry...here."
Come settle down and let me spoon behind you. In minutes both men were asleep.
Gil woke up gradually to a smell. He realised, suddenly, that Nick was here in Paris and put his arm out but the bed was empty. He then realised that it was toast he could smell. He threw the bedding back and swung his legs out and looked at the clock. It was half past one in the afternoon; he'd slept for about three hours.
He padded barefoot to his kitchen and found Nick with a mug of tea and an empty plate bearing crumbs.
"Afternoon, my love. You're better?" Gil walked over to Nick and leaned down and they kissed.
"I woke up starving and feel a lot better and thought I'd try a piece of toast. I had it dry and sipped tea with it and I feel okay. Don't know if I can sleep any more. What woke you?"
"The smell of toast I think."
"You want a slice, I can do it?"
"No, thanks. You do look a lot better."
"I am. I feel a bit achy but the headache and nausea have definitely gone. It was obviously a twenty-four hour virus!"
"Well I'm not going to tell Marie-Auguste, I want you to myself!"
"Well, Dr Grissom I can report that I definitely had a morning wood when I woke up. I must be better."
"You must. Shall I shower?"
"I think you should. Not room enough for two."
"Unfortunately not."
"Then off you go." Nick grinned and Gil reached over and kissed him again and then left the kitchen, Nick called out to him. "Missing you already."
"I could come back." Gil called back.
"Get in the shower." Nick smiled to himself. He had a plan. And he felt well enough to be able execute it. He'd have another round of toast and then shower and make a definitive decision afterwards. He didn't want to say 'do it' and then feel he wasn't up to it. He'd not mentioned any of this to Gil over the past weeks. He wanted to just go ahead and try...that's what Heather had said and she was pretty well always right. He wasn't feeling nervous at all...just excited and his woody was already getting the message.
He heard Gil come out of the bathroom and sauntered in. "You left enough hot water for me?"
"Ah-ha! Limitless here...I can jerk off without fear of being deluged with freezing water."
"Really? And have you?"
"Jerked off? No. You should know by now that I have a lot less recuperative powers than you...age, baby!"
"You are very old and wrinkly, but you know what?"
"What?"
"I love you with all my heart. I've missed you and can hardly believe I'm here."
Gil stepped up to him and stood right in front of him as if examining him carefully and the smiled and rubbed his fingertips around Nick's day old growth of beard. "This is right isn't it? It feels so right."
"Oh, man. It is sooo right."
"Then hurry up and have a shower and let's see just how right we are for one another." Gil leaned forward and gently brushed his lips over Nick's.
"On my way, I was intercepted."
"You do feel okay don't you?"
Nick grinned and nodded. "I do." He caught Gil's hand and pushed it into his hard on.
"Missed you. Now go shower!"
"Gone." Nick was soon in the shower and even managed to turn it on himself.
Gil heard him singing in the shower and listened to him; he had no idea what it was, just something about not riding a horse but riding a cowboy instead. Gil grinned to himself; he was so pleased that Nick was better, he'd looked bad at the airport and Gil had been shocked, but he did seem to have recovered and he had eaten. But Gil would take it easy. He continued to grin to himself and went to the bathroom door.
"I hope you're not beating off in there."
"No! Nearly ready, just rinsing and then a quick shave and Gil?"
"Yes?"
"I feel good, the shower has washed away the rest of the bug."
Gil watched Nick and his cock, which had been half erect, started to really fill and harden. He could feel the weight of it pulling on his balls but crossed his arms and tucked his hands beneath his armpits to resist the very strong urge to pump himself.
Nick was looking at him as he turned off the water and reached for the towel. He too was erect, with water dripping from him. He looked so smug that Gil laughed.
"You look like the cat that's got the cream, or about to get the...cream." His inference was clear and Nick didn't miss a beat.
"I've been missing my protein shakes."
"Me too."
Nick quickly rubbed his body down getting rid of as much water as he could in one towelling and then rubbed his hair vigorously with the towel over his head; Gil took the opportunity to feast on the body of the man he loved. Taut muscles, strong lines, smooth skin and an erection bobbing around as he rubbed his head. Gil couldn't resist him he stepped up to him and pulled the towel from Nick, threw it to the floor and kissed him thoroughly, their bodies warm and damp and pressed to each other. Gil pulled back.
"Sorry, you are irresistible."
"I like that. You okay with my beard?"
"I am. I can't wait another moment." He took Nick's hand and led him into the bedroom and to the bed. Nick lay down and Gil almost fell on top of him. "You want the bedclothes pulled up? It's not that warm in here?"
"Okay, we can get hot and heavy and throw them off if it gets too hot."
"That's what I thought." Gil leaned over Nick and Nick's arms held him close and hard as they kissed gently, hard, passionately...this was the contact they had both missed and craved every day of their forced separation. They had a week to get reacquainted before being separated again. And yet it was of they'd never been apart...
***
They kissed and touched and licked and tickled and soothed. But both of their cocks were leaking and both men were desperate to release their tension. Gil thought Nick would quickly regain his erection and he hoped he could, too. This was just too good to finish with just one orgasm. But then maybe he could bring Nick off twice and not bother with himself. As he licked around Nick's balls pulling the balls with his mouth and gently teething at the scrotum he own balls were aching and his cock leaking so much he knew he'd have to come soon. He wasn't a masochist, if he wanted to come, he wanted to come. Self-restraint was one thing; self-denial was a totally different ball game.He licked up Nick's shaft and found his head and sucked on it a little, savouring Nick's taste. Not bitter or unpleasant and reflecting, Gil thought as he sucked very gently trying to avoid any sudden orgasm, Nick's sensible and varied diet. He chucked around the shaft.
"What's funny?" Nick croaked out his question and his fingers massaged the scalp of the man kneeling between his legs.
Gil pulled back and smiled at Nick. "I was tasting you and you taste really good...and I started thinking that it's probably your diet that makes..."
"...you're down there, sucking me off and you're thinking about what I eat? Is it a diversionary tactic to stop you coming?"
Gil chuckled again. "Good excuse. I'll go with that."
"You weren't were you? You were genuinely contemplating my diet."
Gil laughed and nodded. "It's a reasonable thing to do...you do taste great!"
Nick laughed and held his arms out indicating that Gi should move up into them. "I have something to ask you."
"Now?" Gil was incredulous.
"Yeah. It's relevant. I want you to...to penetrate me."
"Now?" Gil was astounded. "Right now?"
"Not necessarily right now...but sometime while I'm in Paris. I talked to Heather and I said I've never even tried and she said why don't I just try it...with you...because you would be good."
"Oh, Nicky. Way to go to surprise me. I love you." He kissed him tenderly.
"I thought you could try with your fingers first...you like it and I'm sure I would."
Gil laughed again but he cuddled up to Nick. "I cannot tell you just how much I love you. You know that don't you?"
"I guess I do...I love you and I feel totally relaxed about it because Heather was absolutely right...if anyone can break me in gently...it's you."
Gil kissed Nick again and was truthfully thankful for the short respite because he'd lost the urgency to ejaculate. He had a thought and pulled back and spoke. "Nick, I'm going to start straight away; no time like the present."
"Okay." And Nick grinned. He was actually looking forward to it because he knew Gil enjoyed it so much so then why couldn't he?
Gil reached over to the bedside table and retrieved a bottle of lube.
"Lots of lube...the first rule." Nick repeated Gil's instructions from way back when they were at Blue Angel, instructions that he still followed meticulously when he made love to Gil.
"Right." Gil squirted a very generous amount onto his fingers. "This is that self-heating stuff...feels pretty cold to me."
Nick could see a layer of sweat on Gil's face...maybe he was worried about what he going to do...or maybe he was just hot. Maybe he was just sexed up...he thought...and then Gil's fingers were on his ass hole and rubbing around outside him coating the whole area with lube and it was hot stuff...or at very least very warm. Even as he thought the thought Gil had slipped a finger inside him and to his own surprise and Gil's, judging by his grin, there had been no resistance and no problem. It felt...odd. Intrusive. But not really unpleasant and certainly not painful. He felt as if he wanted to push the finger out.
"Wow. I want to push it out."
"Well gently push against my finger...gently and I'll push back."
"Oh God. Yes."
"I can feel your prostate...can you..." Nick nodded and groaned and pushed down on Gil's fingers and Gil slipped another finger in...pulling the one almost out before adding the second. He went straight to where he'd just felt Nick's gland and was rewarded by Nick's ass jumping like he'd been electrically shocked.
"It's good isn't it..." Nick had an almost wild eyed look about him and could only nod. Gil kept stroking the gland and watched with amusement at Nick's increasing shocked face; he was almost humping Gil's fingers and then Nick stopped still, gasped and grunted and his cock burst throwing stream of ejaculate up and over his stomach. He looked totally shocked; neither he nor Gil had touched his cock. Gil was grinning.
Nick gasped out. "God. What have I been missing?"
Without missing a beat Gil replied. "You've missed nothing, only me. I'm your lover now, sweetheart." Gil chuckled.
"Wow. I don't think I can move."
"Then don't. Lie back and relax."
"If I get any more relaxed I'll dissolve! But you..."
"...can wait. Nick, my pleasure comes from you and just looking at you experience that for the first time, with me...is...well there are no words. Except...you are mine, I'm never going to let you go."
"I've noticed that whenever you say there're no words...you go on talking..."
"...oh, cheeky now are we?"
"Wow. Thank you for everything. You know you say you're not letting me go...well take it from me, I won't let you. God, Gil, I'm hungry."
Gil rolled sideways and onto his back, laughing. "I don't believe it. What do you want?"
"A protein shake."
"You do, do you?"
With a clearly supreme effort Nick pulled himself up from his pillows and leaned over Gil to kiss him. He kissed his lips and neck and then stopped over his collar bone and gave him a hickey.
"Hey, what are doing?"
"Marking you as mine...better than pissing all over you."
"True."
Nick continued to kiss and nibble at Gil, first his nipples and then down to his belly button. He pulled back and spoke.
"You're getting a real flat and toned stomach. Competition for me."
"I'll never be in your league..."
Gil couldn't finish as Nick had reached his cock and pushed as much of it down his throat as he could manage, taking Gil by surprise. Nick pulled back and used his tongue underneath the shaft, tracing the veins and then sucked hard on just the head, licking and teething at the sensitive skin. Gil was murmuring his appreciation and then Nick dipped down again, sucking as hard as he could and achieving exactly what he wanted...Gil started to buck his hips and came down his throat. This was always the tricky bit, holding on for as long as he could to give Gil the maximum pleasure but unable to breathe as he swallowed and one thing about Gil...there was always a lot to swallow.
He had to pull back and flopped down on the bed beside Gil. "Really can't move now." He looked at Gil who didn't seem to be able to respond verbally but kind of nodded his agreement. Nick's hand sought out Gil's and they clasped them together and after a few minutes Gil moved his head to look at Nick.
"I love you and I've missed you so much...but that made it all better and bearable."
"Did, didn't it?" Nick was being smug, but his stomach rumbled and he grinned. "If you really love me you'd get go me some food."
Gil let out a guffaw. "I do not believe your stomach. How come you're not fat?"
"'Cause I exercise, eat good stuff and not one of the family is fat...genes will out."
"Unfair. I still don't think you should have anything fancy. Do you still feel okay?"
"I feel great...I feel fantastic...I feel incredible...but more than anything?"
"You feel hungry." Gil shook his head and Nick laughed.
"And in love!"
***
The next day they took the metro into Paris and Nick was intent on being a real life tourist. He walked around in a daze for a little while...everything was genuinely old and just like he'd seen in pictures and as they made their way towards the Eiffel Tower he stopped."Wow, it's bigger than the one in Vegas."
Gil looked at him sideways. "Nick? This is the real one."
Nick grinned. "Gotcha!"
"Very funny." Gil pretended to be annoyed but it didn't fool Nick for a moment.
"Have you seen the line waiting to go up...I don't need to go up unless you want to?"
"No. I've been up." He looked pensive.
"What's wrong?"
"I went up with Sara. Sorry."
"Hey, you know it's okay. You can't help having a past."
"I could have. Still stupid."
"We all learn by our mistakes. Hey, you didn't marry Marie-Auguste. So one lesson learned."
Gil huffed and looked at Nick. "True enough. Come on, I could do with a coffee."
"Still not weaned off?"
"Too difficult in France; their coffee makes US coffee taste like...gnat's piss."
They both laughed and then Nick stopped. "You've never..."
"...tasted a gnat's piss? No, Nick, I haven't."
"Well, I know you. An experience, any experience you'll try once."
Gil chuckled and then did something that shocked Nick so much he stood still. Gil took his hand and held it...in public.
"What's the matter, don't you want to hold hands?"
"Yeah, I do." Nick looked around and no one was paying them any attention. "Never done it before. I haven't even held a girl's hand in public."
"Another first for me then." And to confirm his action, Gil pulled Nick's hand up to his mouth and kissed his knuckles. Nick smiled.
"Wow. This is good, isn't it? Real good."
"It is; and now can we go get a coffee?"
"Yeah. I'm raring to go; it's you who's holding me up."
It was a long wait to get a coffee because Gil wanted to take Nick to a street café...even in the cold...in Montmartre. Here they could see the street artists and browse the market stalls and savour the bohemian atmosphere and of course, see the Basilica du Sacre Coeur...on top of the hill. They eventually found two seats and huddled in their clothes to keep warm. They had a coffee and a croissant each and watched the people go by. When the bill arrived Nick thought they'd been overcharged...twenty four Euros for the four things.
"Paris is expensive." Gil shrugged and left twenty-seven Euros."
"But, it's...thirty-five dollars or more! For two coffees and two pastries." He looked aghast. "Next time we'll bring a flask and some sandwiches." Gil laughed at Nick's outrage.
"You're on vacation...enjoy! "C'est la vie, mon amour, c'est la vie."
"Just got to wait for my blood pressure to drop. I'm going to use their facilities...pity I don't want a dump as well as a piss...need to get my money's worth." Nick went off in search of the bathroom as Gil chuckled at his lover.
Gil spent a few minutes thinking about Nick and his breakthrough, if he could call it that, letting Gil use his fingers to penetrate. Nick was adamant that next time he wanted more than Gil's fingers but Gil wanted to take it a little slower. He had a couple of sex toys packed away somewhere...but he was fairly certain they were in Vegas; a small dildo would be ideal. Maybe they could look for one around here...they were close to the Pigalle, which was the red light district. So the prospect was probably very good. He'd broach the subject when Nick returned from the pisoire.
Nick came back and they started to stroll among the street stalls and came across a couple dancing the tango to a very enthusiastic audience.
"Do you dance, Gil?"
"Dance?" Gil looked incredulously at Nick. "Do I look like I dance?"
"Just asking!"
"Do you?" Gil asked fully expecting a negative response.
"Yeah." When he saw Gil about to break out into a grin he qualified his remark. "I didn't want to...but my sisters needed a dance partner when they were learning...so guess who they roped in...although I did charge them when I realised I could make a bit of money."
"Fair enough." But Gil was still laughing. "I have a question for you, sweetheart."
"Uh-uh. Not good if you start off with sweetheart."
"It's not that bad. Apropos your penetration." He saw Nick's eyebrows rise probably at the word apropos rather than penetration. "Have you ever used any sex toys?"
"No. Never. Why?"
"Well, I know you want to go ahead and have me enter you...but I think we should work up to it...so I propose buying a dildo...bigger, longer certainly, than my fingers but not as big as my erection...and start small."
"Okay. But where on earth can we get one on a Sunday?"
Gil hoped he hadn't shown the surprise he felt at Nick's complete and immediate agreement. "Well, just down here is the red light district and I'm pretty certain we'll find a sex shop."
"Okay. You've used toys then?"
"Some. Not often....well mostly on myself when I've felt the need."
"Thinking about it, Tom's is right, I must be about the most conservative gay man on the planet. I could have done it for myself years ago, saved all this breaking me in now..."
"...don't beat yourself up....you weren't ready."
"I reckon I was waiting for you."
"I reckon you're reckoning is right." Nick stuck his tongue out at Gil and on an impulse slipped his arm through Gil's arm; his hands were, predictably and familiarly, tucked into his pockets.
They found a shop and purchased a dildo and Nick took great delight in mentioning that it was cheaper than the coffees they'd drunk. Gil smiled like an indulgent uncle but the love and lust he felt were as a lover.
"I reckon we should go home..."
"You do a lot of reckoning don't you?"
"I reckon it's because I'm a Texan."
"I reckon."
They giggled almost like children and Gil led them to the nearest Metro and they were soon on their way home.
"It's not that I don't want to see Paris...I do...but maybe I should take it easy, since I was sick yesterday." Nick spoke quite seriously and Gil nodded.
"I like your reasoning, reckoning, you should take it easy and perhaps go to bed for a rest when we get home."
"I like your thinking; that's a really good idea."
"I thought so. On another matter I will have to call Marie...she expects to hear from me today to see how you are so I will have to arrange a date...how about I suggest maybe Wednesday evening if she's free."
Nick thought for a moment or two. "Well, at the risk of reckoning too much, I think by Wednesday we'll probably need a rest...whether we'll be able to sit down comfortably...well, that might be another matter altogether."
They both laughed out loud and several of their fellow travellers stared at them. Having fun on the Metro was hardly de rigueur.
They were happy to get indoors because the wind was cold but they were even happier because as soon as the door was closed behind them Gil pinned Nick up against the door and assault his mouth. Nick pushed him away.
"I've got on too much clothing. I'll suffocate."
Gil huffed his annoyance but they started to discard their anoraks and scarves and as Nick tried to hang his up Gil took it off him and dumped it on the floor. He took Nick by the hand and pulled him into the bedroom, threw back the bedclothes and pushed Nick down on to the bed.
"Got to get my clothes off, man."
"I can unzip you and get you in my mouth...at this moment I'm not bothered about niceties."
"What about the dildo?"
Gil looked shocked. "We're not using that until we've thoroughly cleaned and sterilised it..."
"Oh, okay. Good idea. Later then." Nick grinned.
Gil was desperate to have Nick in his mouth. He'd been hard for most of the journey home just imagining Nick lying fully clothed with just his hard-on out of his pants. He was soon pulling the leaking dick from Nick's pants and he dropped to his knees beside the bed and licked and teethed at the head and then sucked on the head. Nick's own hand was holding and squeezing his own balls through the material underneath Gil's chin. It was hot and tight and quick as Gil sucked him dry.
"Nice." Nick said when he could speak.
"Sometimes a man's got to do what a man's got to do!" He drawled quite a good John Wayne accent. "May I hump your ass?"
"I can suck you..."
"I just need to get between your ass cheeks...is that okay?"
Nick undid his own pants as Gil undid his own and without a word he turned over and pulled his pants and briefs down to mid-thigh and presented his ass for Gil.
"Such a great ass...I have missed it and he planted a wet kiss and quite a strong bite on each cheek before moving forward, holding the ass cheeks apart and putting his cock between them and pushing forward. He felt his cock head hit the back of Nick's balls.
Through gritted teeth he gasped. "Missed you, baby, missed you." He only needed about half a dozen thrusts and he was pumping wet heat onto the back of Nick's balls.
***
Nick needed to eat. Since his recovery he'd been starving most of the time but was sticking to bland foods to make sure he was okay. So they had a couple of rounds of toast, with a cup of tea, while they looked at the instructions regarding the dildo. It was silicone and could be boiled or put into a dishwasher."I found a dishwasher full of sex toys at a four-nineteen once. No trace left."
Nick chuckled and looked around the little kitchen. "Well that solves that problem. You don't have a dishwasher. Boiling it is."
"I'll get a saucepan. You don't think it's too big do you? For your first try?"
"It's about the same size as you, isn't it?" Nick kept his face straight.
Gil looked at him over his spectacles. "Nicky, my boy, you need glasses." He was equally poker faced but Nick couldn't keep his up and laughed.
"I'd say it's about half the circumference and one and half inches shorter. What do you think?"
"I'd say a quarter of the circumference and at least three inches shorter." Gil sounded very confident of his measurements
"Now who needs new glasses?"
"Here we go. I'll boil up the water and drop it in. Two minutes. Have to wait for it to cool down though; we don't want to burn your lovely little ass, now do we?"
Nick laughed. "You're enjoying this aren't you?"
"Yes, I am. Does it show?"
"Could be your hard-on pressing on your robe that gave you away."
Gil was naked beneath his robe and jiggled his hips around for Nick to see his erection bouncing under the cotton. But then Gil got serious and sat down at the little table again.
"I'm just so very happy because you're here, with me. If you don't like this and don't want it all you have to do is say."
"I know, man. But I do want it and I'm going to give it my best shot. Your fingers...well that was great. Heather said you'd be the best teacher in the world and you are."
"Only because you're the very best student..."
"...that's what you said to me when you left the lab."
"I know. I meant it because it was true...is true. You never had to be told anything twice. And you took it all, good and bad, and learned your lessons...unlike any of the others...and I mean any of them."
"I was cut up when you said it to me, it was everything to me."
Gil covered Nick's hand. "I treated you badly. I can't change the past but I can sure as hell make up for it now."
"You already have. Look how much has happened to me in the last couple of months. How things have changed in my life, for the good. Man, I'm in Europe, for Chrissakes!"
Gil chuckled. "And for me. Sometimes I catch myself...before you got here when I was alone...wanting to pinch myself to make sure it wasn't some dream and that you really are my lover. Do you think I should call you my life partner? Is it too soon? It is too...what do they say; am I being a new man when really I'm just a slimmer old man?"
Gil was serious but Nick laughed again. "You're not old. You are a lot slimmer and I think life partner...I think, to be honest, it's a bit..."
"...over the top?"
"Yeah. We're hardly a couple of flamboyant gays...like Tom. I think partner, on its own, conveys exactly what we are...partners. I mean we will be together for life...as far as I'm concerned, anyway." Nick finished very matter-of-factly.
Gil smiled. "You're right, dear. Partners it is." He patted Nick's hand and Nick looked at him incredulously.
"Dear? You called me dear? Dad calls Mom dear...oh no, I'm not standing for that."
"You are very particular. You say you're too old for Nicky, too young for dear. What do you like...don't answer. Babe and sweetheart."
"I do. What do you like, dear?"
"I'm going to be sticking that boiling dildo up your ass...so less sarcasm for a start. How about Gilbert?" But Gil pronounced it as the French would, as Gilbere.
"Gil Bear? Like a cuddly grizzly? Or what about Yogi? I like Yogi."
"I despair." Gil put his head in his hands. He knew he would not be able to live this down.
"Do you think the dildo has had two minutes?"
"Longer." Gil got up from the table and poured the water from the saucepan into the sink and let the dildo fall onto a couple of sheets of kitchen towel. "It'll need ages to cool down."
Gil sat down again and looked as if he was going to speak but then didn't.
"Go on; say it, whatever it was."
"I shouldn't."
"I know you're dying to...come on."
"Sara was here with me in this apartment. Not often." Nick nodded and smiled his encouragement. "We rarely spoke. We certainly never had any fun. I never think about her, you know. Just now I was reminded because we didn't laugh at all and...well we really hardly ever even talked. Honestly. I cannot tell you how much actual physical relief it was to hear we weren't married."
"Did you argue?"
Gil shook his head. "Hardly. Rarely. We just didn't communicate. Period. When I told her I'd been unfaithful she screamed at me...but we didn't argue and she stormed out after a few minutes. I'm not apportioning blame here. I'm sure I was to blame to a much greater extent than she was because I surely realised very quickly what a grave mistake I'd made. We were so...mismatched. But look at us? Rattling along like an old married couple. Comfortable. Secure. It's no wonder I need to pinch myself from time to time."
"This is the honeymoon phase. When we get to live together full time, we'll argue over chores and cooking and what to watch on TV..." Gil looked horrified. "...I'm joking, babe. Yanking your chain."
"I think we will have arguments. It would be ridiculous to assume that we will live forever looking at each other through rose tinted spectacles. But I cannot ever imagine that we would argue about chores and cooking...I do them all anyway."
"Ha! You think you're a regular martyr don't you."
"I believe I am, yes."
Nick grinned at Gil's soulful expression. "I love you, man. You reckon the dildo has cooled yet?" He stood up and touched it, gingerly. "Not too bad. Perhaps we should indulge in some foreplay and then it'll have cooled down."
"A plan."
"I'm good at plans. I plan to get fucked. I plan to fuck you back. I plan to eat something tasty. I plan to go on a trip on the river tomorrow while you're in class."
"Good idea." Gil was at work but was just going to go in for his lectures. Monday and Thursday were his busiest days and Nick would have five hours to kill waiting for Gil. "So what are we waiting for?" Gil stood up
"Nothing at all." Nick slipped his arms around Gil's neck and kissed him, tasting the tea they'd both drunk. "Come on, Yogi, bring the dildo." And Nick moved quickly out of kitchen and out of the firing range of Gil's hand on his ass.
***
The journey to the bedroom took longer than they anticipated since they had to stop to kiss and Nick had to drop to his knees and open Gil's robe and lick and suck him a little, but eventually Gil, Nick and the dildo arrived by the crumpled bed.They discarded their robes and Nick pushed Gil down and lay on top of him kissing his lips, his neck and his ears. He felt as if he couldn't get enough of the man and would never have enough time to explore every single inch of the man. But he would give it a good go. He chewed on Gil's nipples and they hardened and then he moved down to his belly. He pulled back and admired it.
"You're much tauter than you were...that's the swimming."
"Correct. Quit the chat Nick and get down on me."
"Yo Yogi." And he dived down and took a good swallow of Gil's hard-on in his mouth hoping to stop Gil's retort. It worked for about a minute while he sucked and licked and Gil gasped. But as he pulled back and off with a slurp. Gil was waiting.
"I remembered that Yogi's best friend was Boo-Boo. I'll call you Boo-Boo, Boo-Boo!"
"Hold on. While I was giving you an expert blow job you were trying to remember the name of Yogi's best friend?"
Gil pulled an apologetic face. "I didn't want to come." He knew it was lame and smiled. "Please forgive me, Boo-Boo?" He asked Nick in a very childish voice and even fluttered his eyelashes.
Nick laughed. "Okay." He moved back up to Gil's mouth and kissed his lover so that the taste of Gil was then in both their mouths. He pulled back again. "Come on. I'm excited."
"I can see."
"No, not my dick...about the dildo."
"Oh, right. You know it will probably be sore."
"Yeah."
"And the first time's not really an indication of how it can be...you have to get used to it?"
"Yeah."
"Are you paying any attention to what I'm saying?"
"Yeah. I'm ready."
"I think you are."
"I've been telling you that for days...come on."
"That's one day."
"Pedantic."
"Okay, let's do it."
"At last." Nick flung himself onto his back beside Gil and Gil laughed. "Will this be the best way for my first time?"
"I think you'll probably be better off on your knees giving me access to your ass...we can see how it works. Nothing's set in stone."
Nick flipped over onto his stomach and then presented his ass to Gil. "It's the best looking ass I've ever seen."
Nick turned around and looked at Gil, grinning. "Toned up 'specially for this event."
Gil leaned over it and kissed first one cheek and then the other all the time feeling the hard muscles beneath the skin. Nick wasn't joking this one was might fine ass. He pulled the cheeks apart with his fingers and leaned down and licked at the hole. He had done this before but not with Nick's ass in his face ready and waiting. Nick was contracting the muscles in his buttocks and Gil could feel them and he could hear Nick's breathing hitch as his thoroughly licked the area and then used his fingers to rub around; the nerves were sensitive and Nick wiggled his ass at his appreciation. After a few minutes Gil reached for the lube.
He directed it at the hole and squeezed a generous amount at it; he put it down close by and then set about lubricating Nick, first around the outside and then he slipped in a finger and started on the inside. Nick groaned his appreciation and it seemed to Gil that there was no problem or restriction. Gil had meant it when he'd said that Nick was his best student. He learned quickly and properly. Whether it was work...or anal penetration. Gil smiled to himself as Nick started working his ass on Gil's finger. Gil added some more lube and another finger.
"I want to pump myself." A strangulated plea came from Nick, his head buried in a pillow
"Okay, you can. But don't come before I've penetrated or you'll be far too sensitive to continue."
"Okay, boss." Nick leaned on one elbow as he found his dick and pumped himself...at the same time Gil dipped his hand down and held Nick's balls in his hand feeling the small orbs move around but also pulling the scrotum down to relieve a bit of Nick's pressure.
"That's better, it was getting unbearable."
"Good." Gil hadn't removed his fingers but had kept them still. He didn't want to put any undue pressure on Nick to come until he had the dildo in place. Nick's arm went back onto the bed. Gil squirted some more lube onto and into Nick and then picked up the dildo. It was faintly warm and that would be a good thing and the silicone was hard but it was flexible, Gil guessed that it was as good a penile mimic as one could get.
He pulled his fingers out of Nick and the used even more lube on the dildo. He deliberately didn't tell Nick what he was going to do but he guessed that Nick would know. He placed the dildo at Nick entrance and Nick pushed his ass up more knowing what was about to happen.
"Okay, babe. Relax as much as you can and push against it. You're sphincter is quite prepared.
"It's warm."
"Is that okay?"
"Good." Gil notices a tremble in Nick's voice.
"Pant with it..."
"...it's a dildo not a fucking baby..."
"The analogy applies. Go with it."
Nick did pant. "It's tight." He gasped.
"It will be; do you want me to stop."
"No...no. Hold on a minute. How much is in?"
"About half. I'm going to gently pull it out and put more lube on it and push it back in...are you okay with that?"
"Yeah." Gil did what he said he was going to do and he did hear Nick sigh as he pulled it out but he lubed it some more and pushed it straight back in, gently twisting it slightly and then pushed it a little further in than it had been before...Nick was sweating and panting and Gil wanted with all his heart to pull it out and never do it again. But he knew that Nick wanted it and he knew it would be a great experience once he got used to it.
Gil was twisting it slightly as he pushed it in and then pulled it back a little and pushed it in again, a little further each time and mindful of the lubrication he was checking that there was still plenty on the dildo as he pulled it out and pushed it in; it was nearly all in and he continuing his little actions when suddenly Nick jumped.
"Man. That as it. That was it!" Nick gasped out.
Gil smiled and did the same action again. Nick jumped and his ass came up to meet the dildo and it slipped in all the way but Nick was passed caring. It was catching his prostate and his ass wanted more. Gil put some more lube around Nick's ass and he was making sure that with each thrust the dildo was well lubed. He started a slow rhythm and was thrusting it in and out, but gently with no sudden movement. Nick's ass was working it...
"Godddd...gotta hold my dick...gotta..." Nick was slurring his words.
"Do it." Gil was relentless now, without pausing he was fucking Nick's ass with the dildo. But he was studying Nick closely looking for any signs of distress. There were none. Nick moved and gasped at the change in the position of the dildo, but holding himself up with one arm he grabbed his dick and pumped furiously just a few times and was coming over the bedding, gasping and jerking as he lost his load. As soon as he'd finished he collapsed down and let out a moan.
"Ow...ow..."
"It's the change of position and that you've come. I'm going to slide it out." He gently twisted it out and as it left Nick's body he sighed.
"It did hurt at the end." He turned over. "Man, the mess and I feel so sticky...but hey, babe?" He grinned.
"You did it."
"I did, didn't I? You popped my cherry." Gil grimaced at the description. "I'm going to suck you off big time...when I get my breath and then I've really got to..."
"...eat, by any chance?"
"That was just a lucky guess..."
***
Sometime later, Gil had been sucked dry, they were showered, the dildo was boiled and they'd eaten a pizza Gil had found in his freezer; the bedding was in the washing machine. They were on the couch watching TV. Wrapped in their robes Nick was on his side with his head in Gil's lap. His ass was sore, there was no doubt about that, but he was as happy as he could remember. Not only had he really enjoyed his first anal...experience, but he'd now, truly, beaten all his demons. There was nothing in the world left for him to conquer, though he felt he could have run up and down Everest given the opportunity.
Gil was channel surfing. Flicking form one station to another. "Sometimes they have American of British shows with French closed captions."
"Haven't you got a film we could watch?"
"It must have escaped your notice, CSI Stokes, that I haven't got a video or DVD player."
"You haven't? I thought it was in there." He pointed to a cupboard beneath the TV.
"Sometimes a cupboard, Nick, is just a cupboard." He smiled down as Nick as smugly as he could. Nick chuckled.
"Ah, here's what I was looking for." He'd found the forensic drama he'd watched before the one with the Nick lookalike. "This is a show about forensic investigators, 'Les Experts', it's called, and there's a guy in it that could be your brother."
"No shit?"
"No shit." Gil chuckled at Nick's sarcasm. "Just you wait and see."
It looked as if the particular actor was not going to be in the show; they'd been watching for about fifteen minutes with various comments about the equipment they were using and the techniques the actors were employing. Gil almost shouted and Nick jumped when the actor came onto the screen.
"That's him. He's your double."
Nick stared at the man on the screen and then up at Gil. "He's nothing like me. Not even a distant cousin."
"He is. His name is Georges. He's in charge. He knows everything and they all listen to his every word."
"More like you then."
"No, he isn't. Can't you see how similar he is to you?"
"Nah. You obviously have a huge crush on him. What do you want me to do, dress up in my vest so you can pretend?"
"I have not got a crush. I don't need to have a crush, I have you. Dressing up?"
"Ohhh...want me to dress up for you, do you?"
"Nooo, I don't. What as?"
"Ha! You do! I don't know...what do you like?"
"I've no idea. I like you."
"A cowboy?" Nick drawled in the strongest Texan twang he could muster.
"A cowboy?" Gil swallowed.
"A Storm Trouper from Star Wars? Oh, I know, Indiana Jones...with a leather fedora and a whip?"
"A cowboy...well you are from Texas."
"Like the idea?"
"I suppose I do."
"Then I'll get some stuff for when you get back to Vegas."
"You'd do that for me?"
"Sure, man. We could have some fun. We could have themes. You could be a Marshall."
"What about horses, Nick?"
"Now you're taking the piss. But then it could be arranged. Do you ride?"
"I have a couple of times...slow old nags."
"Hey, that's something we could do. We can rent horses and go out on trials."
"Like the mules in the Grand Canyon?"
"A bit more adventurous than that."
"Do you know, Nicky? That's a good idea. A really good idea."
"Man, I'm full of them."
"You know, you're right, that guy looks nothing like you."
"Told you so. She's like Sara though, isn't she?" He pointed to a character.
"Actually, she is. You're right about that too."
They watched for a few more minutes and then Gil tuned the TV off. "It's a bit pointless. We could listen to some music."
"We could...what have you got?" Nick was suspicious.
"There's only a few CD's...over there, stuff I've bought here."
"I'll go and look. What about a drink of tea?"
"Coming up. There's a cinema that shows US stuff we could go one night."
"Okay and you've got to call Marie-Auguste."
"I have; I'll put on the kettle and then call."
Gil came back a few minutes later and Nick had chosen a CD. "It's that Hugh Laurie album; I read about it but haven't heard any of the tracks."
"It's okay."
"Not that enthusiastic?"
"It's not bad. It's not like the real thing. I'm just going to call Marie."
A few minutes later a date had been arranged and on Tuesday evening Gil would get to show off his lover to a friend...for the first time.
"We must make a plan for what we're going to do. I have booked a restaurant for Friday evening...Le Pre Catelan on the Bois de Boulogne..."
"...ah, making sure I bought suit and tie?"
"That's right. It's a good place."
"And expensive?" Nick hadn't forgotten the price of his coffee and croissant that morning.
"My treat for my wonderful lover."
"So what else have you got planned?"
"You're going on the Seine tomorrow. I thought the Louvre on Tuesday afternoon...the place is always crowded though...it doesn't matter what day or time you go, but we have to be back to go to Marie's in the evening. Wednesday...what about Versailles? I've never been. My lectures are over by midday. What?" Gil had suddenly noticed Nick grinning.
"Planning my trip? Much?"
"I thought you'd want to see as much as you can while you're here." Gil sounded a bit hurt.
"Babe. I do...but most of all I want to be with you and see you...that's the most important thing to me."
Gil smiled. "Trying to get too much done?"
"I don't know...we can have a go and if we don't get around everywhere...it doesn't matter. As long as we're together."
"You're right. I'm sorry..."
"...don't be. I know you're trying to make my trip as fun packed as possible...but the fun bit is you...everything else...is incidental."
"I do love you."
"I know. You've done so much for me. Just look at how my life has changed in the past few weeks."
"The same here. I think you do need to pinch me...it is all happening isn't it; it is true isn't it?"
"Yeah, man, it is."
"That's good then. How's your ass?"
"Feels as if someone's poked something up it."
"That'll be right."
"When are we doing it again?"
Gil laughed. "You have to learn to walk before you can run."
"I already did the walk...I want to jog now and be running before I go back to the States."
"Really?" Gil looked at Nick over his glasses. "I'm not going to make you sore. You have to sit on your ass for fifteen–sixteen hours on Saturday so I'm going to be careful. No more insertions until you're fully recovered and then the dildo a couple more times."
"Man." Nick was in full whining mode. "That means it's unlikely I'll get to do it if you're that strict. Once more with dildo. Tuesday. And then the real thing on Thursday. How's that for negotiating."
"I'm making no promises. If it's sore when you take a dump I'm not going to do it."
"I had forgotten just what stubborn ass you are."
"And that was a mistake, wasn't it?" He smiled very smugly. Nick pouted as best he could since he wasn't given to doing it much.
"I do have a question though. Should I use the dildo on myself when I get home...keep practising?"
"Yes. Good idea." Nick grinned very broadly. "Go on, what is it?"
"I could wear my cowboy hat and boots...nothing else...and we could have Skype sex. With or without the dildo." Now it was Nick's turn to be smug.
Gil was actually speechless. He shook his head and looked at Nick and then shook his head again. He pulled his robe open and his erection bobbed up.
"Nice. You want me to fuck you?"
"Oh yes."
Their tea was forgotten as they made their way to the bedroom. The bed was unmade and needed clean bedding.
"Hold on, I'll just get the pillow cases and a bottom sheet."
While Gil did made the bed up Nick gathered the supplies, already tearing the condom packet. "When do we get to go bareback?"
Gil stood and looked at Nick. "We need to talk about that...there are a lot of things to consider."
"Infection?"
"Primarily. It is the body's dump site after all."
"Yeah; I read about it...you can minimise that by using a home enema kit."
"You can, but overuse of those is not good for you and..."
"...hey, we can talk later...we've got some unfinished business to attend to." Nick had noticed Gil's erection start to flag.
***
"You're right.
In the Louvre they were in line for nearly two hours to see the Mona Lisa.
"Is that it?"
"What do you mean, is that it?" Gil was horrified. "It's one of the greatest paintings ever painted by one off the greatest men who ever lived...it's over five hundred years old! Older that our country!"
"It's only small...I thought it was...big. And it's...dull."
"Dull? Nick, it has a vibrancy of colour unmatched in modern times. Are you joking?" Gil added as an afterthought. Nick grinned. "You are." Gil shook his head,
"Not entirely, to be honest. Okay, I'm a hillbilly at heart, I admit it. I've seen it. I enjoyed looking at the grandeur of the old buildings more than this. I enjoy something earthier than just a painting. The landscape of the Grand Canyon, for me, is more beautiful. It's real. It's now. Do you understand?"
"I do. Yes." Gil smiled at Nick and admired his honesty and his straightforwardness; he fully understood Nick's preference for Mother Nature. While Gil did appreciate the beauty of the Mona Lisa he too was equally awestruck with the natural world.
"I love you, Nick."
"Even though I'm a country boy?" Nick smiled
"Because you are truthful, honest. You don't pretend and you're not pretending to please me...you're being yourself, you know yourself. It's wonderful. You're wonderful."
Gil earned himself a huge grin and an arm slung around his shoulders. What really surprised Gil was when Nick bought a fridge magnet, in the gift shop, of the Mona Lisa. At Gil's raised eyebrows Nick looked shocked.
"I got to let people know I've been to see it...not much point of hanging around all that time if I can't slip it into conversation, 'oh, I've seen the Mona Lisa, have you?'" Nick laughed for five minutes at Gil's shocked look.
Nick recovered and Gil forgave him.
That evening they visited with Marie-Auguste. She made them very welcome and stuffed them with food culminating in a selection of cheese and a glass of port. Nick was reluctant to drink any more since he'd been steadily imbibing red wine all evening but had one glass and had to agree that it was a perfect accompaniment for the cheeses.
Marie and Nick hit it off immediately and Gil found himself thinking about them as they slowly finished their meal. What was it that made Nick so amenable? He was at home with Marie-Auguste as much as he was with Catherine. Even Sara had been won over and wished him well, when, in truth she could, or should, have been beyond furious. To Gil, it was a curios phenomenon.
"Gil? Gil?" Gil was suddenly aware of Nick speaking to him. "Are you okay, babe?"
"Sorry, I was miles away. I may have had too much to drink." He added wistfully.
"No way. I've seen you drunk, remember?"
"I'm trying to forget that episode. No, I was thinking about you and just how easily you fit in with everyone. At work. Your colleagues and victims with whom you have an instant empathy. And you've demonstrated this evening, with Marie-Auguste, the same...rapport, I suppose. I was wondering whether it is a natural trait or something you've developed."
Nick was looking aghast. "You've been sitting there eating and drinking and thinking about my social skills?"
Gil looked a little sheepishly at Marie-Auguste. "Sorry, Marie, it's not very hospitable of me..."
"...please, do not worry. It is the way you are, n'est ce pas? I think it is natural ability, what do you think, Nick?"
Nick thought about for a moment or two. "I don't know. But I think I've always been like it...but my family is huge. Five sisters and one brother, uncles, aunts, cousins...friends of the family. I was taught to be polite so it's probably a mixture of nature and nurture." Nick frowned as he remembered speaking to Sara about Gil and he'd wondered then how different they were. But it was the same with Gil, an only child with a very small extended family and a deaf mother. He'd had less chance to interact than Nick ever had.
"Now you're thinking."
"Yeah. How different we are. Our upbringing couldn't have been more different." Nick thought he saw Gil start to look alarmed at his comment so he leaned across the table to him and covered Gil's hand with his own. "But then don't they say, 'opposites attract'?"
Gil chuckled. "They do."
It was an hour or so later as they walked back to Gil's apartment. It was bitterly cold but they had decided that a walk after all the food and alcohol would do them good. They were huddled against each other for as much warmth as they could glean and walking into the wind they had to slightly raise their voices to be heard.
"Shall we give Versailles a miss? The weather forecast says it could sleet or snow tomorrow. We should stay nearer home."
"Why not stay in home. You go to your classes and I'll go shop and then cook us a meal for the early evening?"
"That's a great idea. I'll crank the heating up when we get in. This is the coldest it's been since I got back."
"We'll have to cuddle up closer to keep warm."
"There is that."
"And don't think I've forgotten that this is Tuesday night and dildo night."
"How is your ass feeling?"
"Neglected."
"It told you that?"
"Yeah, it sure did. It said, 'Nicky, what about some more action'?"
"That was probably gas."
"You calling me a farter? Pot, kettle?"
"Where 'ere you may be, let your wind go free, for holding it back, was the death of me."
"Sorry?" Nick laughed.
"A tombstone epithet."
"Thank you for sharing."
"You're welcome."
They continued their walk home and when they arrived in the warm apartment they were too hot to turn up the heating.
Nick immediately went to take a dump and then shower. Gil got his clothes ready for work the next morning and then followed Nick into the shower.
"I miss being able to shower together."
"I know." Nick's voice was muffled as he towelled his hair. "But, you know, it's the middle of March and you'll be home at the end of May. And then there's New York in between."
"Time really does fly doesn't it?" Gil stood in the bath without turning on the shower and looked pensive. "We must make every minute count, Nick. Not just now, but always."
Nick stopped towelling and looked at Gil. "Yeah. Always. We've going to have a long time together."
Their beginners luck with the dildo didn't continue. Nick wanted to lie on his back so that he could see Gil and although there was no problems inserting it and thrusting, the different angle was missing his prostate and his had to help his orgasm along, much more than last time, with his hand. But he was happy that it was easier and less sore than it was the first time and as he cuddled next to a sated Gil he Nick whispered to him.
"Hey babe, the real thing next time." ***
